The National Coalition Against Censorship and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression — both frequent CBLDF collaborators in the fight for First Amendment rights — are looking for a New York-based coordinator to manage their Kids’ Right to Read Project. The full job posting has all of the details:
National Coalition Against Censorship and American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression Seek Kids’ Right to Read Project Coordinator
The National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) are seeking a Coordinator for the Kids’ Right to Read Project (KRRP), which opposes efforts to ban books in public schools and libraries. Since its launch in 2006, KRRP has defended over 250 titles in 31 states, including classics by Mark Twain, Richard Wright, John Steinbeck, and Kurt Vonnegut, and contemporary works by Judy Blume, Toni Morrison, Pat Conroy, and Cormac McCarthy.
While the suppression of books is the focus of this project, book censorship today occurs in a context of narrowing the free speech rights of young people. The KRRP coordinator will deal with a wide range of youth free speech issues.
Responsibilities include:
• Developing KRRP as the primary resource to oppose book censorship; working with authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians and teachers to educate Americans about the hundreds of challenges that occur in schools and libraries every year; providing historical and legal background about the battle over books; and educating parents and students about their free speech rights.
• Responding to book censorship incidents in schools and libraries: confirming facts, contacting school officials, teachers, librarians, reporters and local residents; drafting letters to school officials; communicating with school and library officials about model policies and procedures and explaining resources.
• Engaging the press, bloggers and others to educate the public about the importance of opposing book banning and about the importance of upholding young people’s free speech rights; contacting reporters and editors in communities where book controversies occur; drafting letters to the editor, writing blog posts.
• Tracking and responding (as needed) to a range of youth related free speech issues: school theater, dress codes, access to social media, regulation of student speech outside of school, etc.
• Joining with other groups in public education initiatives like Banned Books Week, conferences and similar events.
• Coordinating NCAC’s annual youth free expression film contest and associated activities.
Qualifications:
-Bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years of experience.
-Excellent verbal, writing, research and organizational skills.
-Interest in free speech and censorship issues.
-Outgoing personality; self-motivated, collaborative, and flexible; comfortable working in a small, non-profit office with limited support staff; a sense of humor.
-Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
-Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite, Outlook, Photoshop, inDesign, Illustrator, Quickbooks.
-Knowledge of and experience with social media (Facebook, Twitter, blogs).
-Some experience with website design and/or upkeep.Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits. The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and the National Coalition Against Censorship are equal opportunity employers.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, references, and two writing samples to amyl@abffe.org
No phone inquiries please.